Scully, C (Scully, Crispian) The positive and negative impacts, and dangers of the impact factor COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH, 24 (3): 130-134 SEP 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: c.scully at eastman.ucl.ac.uk

Author(s): Scully, C (Scully, Cnispian) 

Title: The positive and negative impacts, and dangers of the impact factor 

Source: COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH, 24 (3): 130-134 SEP 2007 

Language: English 

Document Type: Editorial Material 

Keywords Plus: CITATIONS; JOURNALS; SCIENCE 

Abstract: The journal impact factor (IF) is widely used but surrounded by 
considerable controversy. It is important to restrict it to only its 
appropriate use. The IF can reasonably be useful for evaluating a journal, 
but even then can be influenced by many factors such as the number of 
review papers, letters or other types of material published, variations 
between disciplines, and various biases. The extent to which the IF is 
appropriate for the evaluation of the quality of an individual, department 
or institution however, is undoubtedly highly debatable. 

Addresses: UCL, Eastman Dent Inst, London WC1X 8LD, England 

Reprint Address: Scully, C, UCL, Eastman Dent Inst, 256 Grays Inn Rd, 
London WC1X 8LD, England. 

E-mail Address: c.scully at eastman.ucl.ac.uk 

Cited Reference Count: 25 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: F D I WORLD DENTAL PRESS LTD 

Publisher Address: 5 BATTERY GREEN RD, LOWESTOFT NR32 1 DE, SUFFOLK, 
ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0265-539X 

29-char Source Abbrev.: COMMUNITY DENT HEALTH 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Community Dent. Health 

Source Item Page Count: 5 

Subject Category: Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 213RL 

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